Chuck Norris paving way for radio success

A teenager is hoping the chance to showcase her music to millions of radio listeners will pave the way to pop success.

Izzy Marie Hill's song Chuck Norris will be played by a different Radio 1 DJ every day next week.

The 19-year-old's self-penned pop song was chosen as part of the BBC Introducing project to promote unsigned and new acts.

"I'm really excited but because the station has about 11 million weekly listeners I suppose I am a bit nervous," said Izzy, from Whetstone.

"It is such an amazing opportunity and I can barely believe it is going to happen, because I don't know anyone else who this has happened to.

"I'm at uni at the moment, so I am going to have to try to catch the song on the radio on my phone between lectures. It is so exciting."

Izzy, who is studying journalism at Nottingham Trent University, wrote the song in June last year. She describes her style as "quirky pop".

"I think a lot of people have a bad perception about pop, but I am a proud of saying I do pop, because there is good pop out there and, hopefully, that's where I fit," she said.

"The song they are going to play on the radio is called Chuck Norris.

"It is basically about not telling someone you love that you love them.

"It has a line about Chuck Norris in the chorus and the name just kind of stuck."

While Izzy began playing the piano at a young age, it was only when she picked up a guitar for the first time three years ago that she began writing her own songs.

She sent her tracks to BBC Nottingham and it was DJ Dean Jackson who put her forward for the Radio 1 slot.

Since her success was announced on his show last week, a number of record labels have been in touch with Izzy.

"I can't say much at the moment, but I have a few showcases coming up with three major labels and a publishing company which wants to hear me do a few songs with a band," she said.

"I'm pretty nervous but it will be really good.

"My dream is to be in the Top 20 one day, but really I would just like to be able to have a career in music."

Izzy's dad Jez said the whole family was very proud of her for getting this far.

"She has been working hard for this for three years and has about half a million views on her You Tube videos," he said.

"We are really proud of her and looking forward to next week."

Izzy will be played on the following Radio 1 shows: Monday, Sara Cox, from 10am; Tuesday, Greg James, from 4pm; Wednesday, Dev, from 4am; Thursday, Scott Mills, from 1pm; Saturday, Huw Stephens, from 1pm; Sunday, Gemma Cairney, from 7am.